Innovation Meets Governance: IIT Kanpur Bestows Top Honour on Chief Election Commissioner

Updated: November 02, 2025 21:06

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Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar was honoured with the prestigious Distinguished Alumni Award by IIT Kanpur during its 66th Foundation Day celebrations, recognizing his exemplary professional achievements and contributions to public service since graduating in 1985.

The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur celebrated its 66th Foundation Day on November 2, 2025, marking a milestone in its journey of academic excellence and innovation. A highlight of the event was the conferment of the 2025 Distinguished Alumni Award (DAA) to Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar, a distinguished graduate of the 1985 civil engineering batch. The award, IIT Kanpur’s highest alumni honour, recognises individuals for exceptional merit and significant societal contributions.

Director of IIT Kanpur, Prof. Manindra Agrawal, conveyed the unanimous decision by the institute’s board of governors to bestow this prestigious accolade upon Kumar. The DAA, established in 1969, has celebrated luminaries such as Infosys co-founder N R Narayana Murthy and former ISRO chairman K Radhakrishnan. Kumar’s award acknowledges his exceptional merit and professional accomplishments, notably his role in driving electoral reforms and innovations since assuming office as India’s 26th Chief Election Commissioner in February 2024.

The event brought together students, faculty, alumni, and dignitaries including Shri Adil Zainulbhai, Chairperson of the IIT Boards of Governors and Quality Council of India, who graced the occasion as chief guest. The Foundation Day also featured the honoring of 21 notable alumni, reflecting IIT Kanpur’s legacy of nurturing leaders who make impactful contributions to society.

Key Highlights:

IIT Kanpur’s 66th Foundation Day marked with distinguished alumni honours.
CEC Gyanesh Kumar conferred with the 2025 Distinguished Alumni Award for exceptional merit.
The DAA is IIT Kanpur’s highest alumni award, instituted in 1969.
Award recognizes professional excellence and societal impact in public service.
Kumar, an IIT Kanpur alumnus and 1988 IAS batch officer, became the 26th Chief Election Commissioner in 2024.
The award ceremony featured prominent personalities and alumni from diverse fields.
Reinforces IIT Kanpur’s commitment to celebrating academic and societal achievements.

This prestigious recognition not only celebrates Kumar’s accomplishments but also highlights IIT Kanpur’s enduring legacy in shaping visionary leaders contributing significantly to India’s development and governance.

Sources: Information and Media Outreach Cell, IIT Kanpur; Hindustan Times; IANS; The Lallantop; Jagran News.

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